Cole ahead of schedule after knee surgery

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole believes he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from the knee surgery that prematurely ended his season.

Cole ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Chelsea’s 4-1 FA Cup win over Southend in January and needed an operation that ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

But the 27-year-old England star is confident he can return to action in time for the start of next season after making a good start to his rehabilitation.

“I am ahead of schedule,” Cole told Chelsea TV. “The physios are really happy with me and how I feel at the moment is how I am supposed to be feeling.

“There is obviously a bit of muscle wastage in the legs so I am working on that but I am pleased.

“There was always in my head a dream of a possible Champions League or FA Cup Final but the physios put the kibosh on that every time I mention it.

“So my comeback target is going to be pre-season for the start of next season.”